Birmingham Indian Film Festival

dpm is a Birmingham-based freelancer with experience of arts and lifestyle features.

Event: 23/06/2017 - 02/07/2017

Horror, comedy and historical epic - all in one festival

Birmingham plays host to Europe's largest Indian film festival this spring. Featuring 11 independent films and two music documentaries, the ten-day Bagri Foundation Birmingham Indian Film Festival (BIFF) takes place in three cinemas from June 23 to July 2.

Cineworld Birmingham hosts the launch event – a red carpet Birmingham premiere of the historical epic The Black Prince. Kavi Raz's re-telling of the story of the last King of Punjab who was abducted by the British Raj to be mentored by Queen Victoria, The Black Prince features Punjabi singer Satinder Sartaaj, who will be guest of honour on the opening night, as well as Shabana Azmi, Jason Flemyng and Amanda Root.

And audiences will have the chance to see an exclusive 'In Conversation With' including Bollywood director Ashutosh Gowariker who directed the Oscar-nominated Lagaan: Once Upon A Time in India with Aamir Khan and the epic historical romance Jodhaa Akbar starring former Miss World Aishwarya Rai.

BIFF director Cary Rajinder Sawhney says: "We are delighted to bring Birmingham audiences a carefully curated selection of the very best new Indian and South Asian independent cinema; all films are English subtitled, offering a rare window into over a billion South Asian lives. This year's selection includes premieres of new comedies, gripping thrillers, shocking horror and insightful true-life documentaries as well as bringing together UK previews of major award-winning films from the world's greatest film festivals."

Taking place at Cineworld Birmingham, mac birmingham and the Mockingbird Cinema and Kitchen, the festival forms part of the Birmingham City Council Utsav Festival which aims to promote South Asian arts and culture in the city.